A gang of fraudsters off-loaded millions of pounds worth of fake golf clubs on to unsuspecting eBay customers, a court heard yesterday.

Gary Bellchamber masterminded the plot, said to be the biggest counterfeiting operation yet uncovered on the website. Prosecutors described it as of a ‘truly global nature’ and ‘on a scale that never been seen before’.

‘Nearly every major golf brand has been affected by the sales of counterfeit goods through eBay accounts,’ said Adam Davies.

His six co-conspirators, who deny playing a ‘crucial role’ in the plot, are said to have managed accounts or acted as distributors. Despite the sophistication of the scheme, which ran for four years until March 30 last year, it was foiled when a dissatisfied customer called trading standards over her sub-standard Acushnet golf clubs.

Havering Council in east London investigated and raided a number of addresses during Operation Augusta.

Among them was Bellchambers’ home in Rainham, Essex. Mr Davies said a ‘large quantity’ of clubs were seized. All were fake, apart from those that belonged to him.

On trial are Roy Cottee, 65, his wife, Kay, 43, and Mark Kent, 46, of Rainham; Sharron Williams, 48, of West Wickham, Kent, and Simon Eden, 44, and Helen Wilson, 28, of Hertford.

All six deny conspiracy.

Keith Thomas, 49, of Rainham, and Chris Moughton, 56, of Blackpool, have admitted their role. The trial continues.